TrailBlog

More than 22,000 miles of rail-trails—and growing—crisscross the country, leaving stronger, healthier communities in their wake. This movement grew from the ideas and sweat equity of ordinary people who championed trails and their benefits to all who would listen (and many who would not). Their triumphs laid the groundwork for a future where trails are at the heart of thriving communities. Their passion was catching, motivating thousands to get involved and make a difference for trails.

In celebration of REI’s campaign to #OptOutside on Black Friday, Nov. 25, we asked you to share how you spend time outdoors and on the trail through our “I Support Trails!” Photo Contest— and we were completely blown away by the positive response.

More and more cities across the country are interested in creating multimodal transportation options like those offered in Greenville, South Carolina. | Photo by Ian Curcio

During this year’s Nov. 8 election, the presidential race was the primary focus for many Americans; however, another story was also unfolding in communities across the country. As we take time to process all the results of the election during this “lame duck” time period, RTC wanted to address this story—which had positive implications for trails, biking and walking on both sides of the U.S.

Rails-to-Trails Conservancy is inviting you and your family to #OptOutside with us, REI and millions of others on Black Friday, Nov. 25, 2016! Grab your grandpa, Grover and the rest of the gang—and give the gift of time, sun and the great outdoors. Here’s a list of five ways you can go the extra mile and make a difference while you #OptOutside this year.

Today, representatives of 22 bike/ped organizations and government agencies from six states are convening in Illinois for Rails-to-Trails Conservancy’s 2016 Midwest Policy Summit. The bike/ped landscape in the region has changed dramatically in recent years, and there are many major projects in the works. Here are five big happenings in the Heartland that are changing the face of active transportation (in no particular order).

Massive trees line the SCTBCC, providing shade in the warm months and a virtual kaleidoscope of colors during the fall. |Photo courtesy Heidi Bulger.

It may be a no-brainer that Seattle-born Bobby Whittaker has always loved the outdoors, having been raised by the first American to summit Mt. Everest. It was the city’s music scene, however, that led him to a rewarding 25-year career, first with Sub Pop Records, and then as a manager and tour manager with iconic bands including Mudhoney and R.E.M. A decade ago, Whittaker read about a former rail line in rural Ferry County, Washington—a place he’d long been going to “slow down.” Now trail advocates in Ferry County are on their way to completing the 25-mile “rock n’ roll” rail-trail, which is changing people’s lives.

Barbara Brown, founder of Healing Rides, with her mother on the Constitution Trail in Illinois | Photo courtesy Barbara Brown

On a summery Saturday morning, 23-year-old T.J. sets out to ride a stretch of trail in his hometown of Bloomington, Illinois. As he gathers speed on the canopied straightaways of the Constitution Trail, he shouts for joy and races the other riders. T.J. rides as a passenger in a wheelchair bike. He’s a participant in a community-based program called Healing Rides, which pairs disabled or elderly “guests” with trained volunteer “pedalers.”

Special thanks to Barb Chamberlain, chief strategic officer of Cascade Bicycle Club and Washington Bikes, for permitting us to re-post this blog—originally published on the Washington Bikes blog on Oct. 25, 2014. Just in time for Halloween, your list of 13 reasons bicycles make the perfect vehicle for the zombie apocalypse!

Team RTC cleaned up the Capital Crescent Trail in Washington, D.C. for Make a Difference Day. | Photo by Suzanne Matyas

In honor of the 25th Make a Difference Day, the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy team took to the Capital Crescent Trail for a celebratory cleanup! Recognized on the fourth Saturday of every October, this annual day of service unites volunteers all across the country to help improve the lives of others.

Millions have recently been awarded to two major trail network projects in the Sunshine State, as Florida moves toward a statewide system of trails that impact economic development, active transportation and community health. Here’s a quick glance at what’s going down in Florida—and why RTC and trail advocates in the Sunshine State are looking up to a brighter future.

On the morning of Oct. 13, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC) joined the Washington Area Bicyclists Association (WABA), the National Park Service, REI and a crowd of more than 40 people along the Mount Vernon Trail in Washington, D.C. to formally announce the creation of the Capital Trails Coalition.—which is working to complete a world-class multi-use trail network in the D.C. metro region.